The following summary reflects currently situation for birders who might be planning a visit to Algonquin Provincial Park.
There is relatively little new information to report. Cold temperatures and snow seem to have reduced the number of birders here this past week. NEW COMMENTS SINCE LAST WEEK ARE PRESENTED IN THE FIRST LINE FOR EACH SPECIES BELOW. Spruce Grouse: Reporting birders continued to have no success finding this bird. Areas to search include: Spruce Bog Boardwalk (located at km 42.5), black spruce area south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road (located at km 46.3) near the locked gate, and farther north in black spruce bog area on the right (east) side. American Three-toed Woodpecker: The few birders reporting were unable to locate this species. Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road are likely still the best areas to try. Listening for the relatively quiet tapping sounds made by this species as it flakes off bark is the best way to find them. Black-backed Woodpecker: Two birds were seen on the utility poles along Highway 60 at km 8 this week, a favoured location for many years. This species is often seen exploring old cavities in poles during late winter and very early spring. Spruce Bog, and along Opeongo Road are other areas to search. Check all conifer areas where de-barked trees are in evidence. Imitations of Barred Owl calls and pishing may illicit calls or movements by this woodpecker, helping to locate them. Gray Jay: Spruce Bog parking lot was reliable this week. The best locations are still Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot, and Opeongo Road at the locked gate. Boreal Chickadee: One was reported at the start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 3. Listen for vocalizations, and check carefully within dense conifers for this species when Black-capped Chickadees are encountered. Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road are likely the best areas to try. Red Crossbill: Still numerous. Often seen getting sand and salt on the highway. Widespread in conifer areas. White-winged Crossbill: No change. Still lots of them being seen and heard. Numerous, and widespread in conifer areas, with males often singing from tops of spruce trees. Flocks getting sand and salt on highway. Evening Grosbeak: Over 100 continued to come to the Visitor Centre feeder this week. Purple Finch, Pine Siskin (numerous) and American Goldfinch are widespread. Often at Visitor Centre feeders. Note: both the Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are posted CLOSED TO PUBLIC TRAVEL this winter, and should not be used by birders. On weekdays, log hauling trucks are frequent on the Rock Lake Road. As always, please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, will help us to assist other birders visiting the Park. Thanks. Good luck. Ron Tozer Dwight, Ontario Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers on Highway 60 in the park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are available daily at both gates throughout the winter. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there.
